Record of Importation to Orange County, Virginia

Early Settlers, who transported themselves to the colonies, over the age of 16, were given "headrights" (grants of 50 acres of land per "head"), if they appeared in the Court of Common Pleas in the county in which the land was granted. The following person appeared in Orange County, Virginia court in May, 1740:

Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA

Acquisition of Land from Orange County, Virginia Records:

31 January 1744/5 - Robt. Scott had 200 acres of land "Joyning land he lives on" (apparently on the Shenandoah River) surveyed by Thomas Lewis, Surveyor. [Orange County Virginia Deed Book 10, Dorman, pg. 54]. (Note: this is apparently the same 200 acres that Robert Scott had patented on 1 October 1747, as listed below).

Acquisition of Land from Chalkley's:

Robert Hooke acquired land on the North Branch of the Shenandoah River and on Mill Creek, on the South River of the Shenandoah. He received a patent on 1 October 1747, according to the Chalkley's record below.

Page 767.--18th March, 1768. Robert Hook to James Hook, £6, 200 acres on south side the land said Hook now lives on, patented, 1st October, 1747. Teste: Wm. Hook, Mathew McDowel, Samuel Scott. Delivered to James Scot, August Court, 1773.

Processioning List of 1756

"Processioning" was the periodic review and agreement of property lines between settler's lands. Processioning Lists are useful in determining the general area of a settlers lands and their neighbors at specific time periods:

Page 177.-- 1756: Processioned by Robert Hook and Pat. Frazier, viz: For Edward Beard, for Margt. Laburn, for James Craig, for Gasper Vought, for James Craig (same as above), for Henry Pirkey, for Mathew Thompson, for Andrew Leeper, for Henry Leaburn, for John Bell Vought, for John Stevenson, for Wm. Beard, for Archibald Huston.

Page 509.--20th February, 1749. Cornelius Murley and Austas, his wife, to Daniel Murley, their son, half of 400 acres. Patented to Cornelius in Gap of North Mountain, next to James Baggs, on North Fork North River Shanando. Teste: Charles Harr, Robert Hook.

Page 194.--13th March, 1767. Robert Miller and Margret ( ), of Albemarle, to George Skillern, £100, 150 acres on Jackson's River patented to Robert, 25th September, 1762; corner to his own land Teste: Robert Hooke, Thos. Miller, John and Wm. Elliot.

Page 23.--27th September, 1767. William Russell, of Culpeper, to Francis Kirtley, power of attorney to convey tract adjoining Margaret Perkey, Robert Hooks and John Stinson, being part of 5,000 acres patented to Jacob Stover. Teste: Michael Coger, Wm. Bohannon, Robert Eastham, Jr.

Page 27.--17th November, 1767. William Russell, late of Culpeper County, by Francis Kirkley to John Stevenson, yeoman, £32.10, 700 acres on Mill Creek, part of Stover's 5,000 acres, part whereof being lapsed and forfeited was granted to William Russell, Gent., father of said William Russell and contains 250 acres whereon John now lives as by survey made by Thomas Lewis, crossing Hooks' Branch; corner Perkey's land, Weaver's line; another tract of Perkey's; corner Francisco's land. Delivered: John Stevenson, October, 1769.

Page 500.--22d August, 1770. John and James Hooks to John McMahon, £16, 100 acres on a draft of North River of Shanando patented to said Robert McMahon, 12th May, 1759. Teste: Robert Hook, John Gabriel Jones. Delivered: John McMahon, January, 1773.

Page 265.--26th May, 1771. Mathew Thompson, Sr., and Rachel to Robert Hill, £400, 400 acres on Mill Creek of Shannando, patented to Andrew McConnal, 30th August, 1743, and by them conveyed to John Anderson and by him to Mathew, Sr., corner Robert Hook; corner William Williams. Delivered: Samuel Hill, May Court, 1778.

Vol. 2 - SEPTEMBER, 1804 (E to G). - Mary Gilmer vs. Peter Sipe--Deed, 27th October, in Orange. Peter Bowman to Christian Riddleberger, 400 acres, Shenando, part of grant to Jacob Stover and part of the land whereon Jacob now lives. Deed, Jacob Stover to Peter Bowman, above. Deposition of Jeremiah Webb, 7th April, 1804. Deed, 1741, Stover to Francisco. Cub Run. Affidavit by Charles Lewis, 17th August, 1802, that Augustine Price is upwards of 80. That Robert Hook is upwards of 90. Following deed, viz: 25th June, 1741, Stover to Christopher Francisco, 176_. Grant to Francisco et als., 20th September, 1736, Stover to Peter Bowman. Patent to William Russell for the Stover patent abandoned. Will of Christopher Francisco. Deposition of Augustine Price, 16th October, 1802, aged 80 years: Was driven from his home on New River by Indians in year of Braddock's defeat; he encamped on the land now Mrs. Gilmer's, then John Madison. Deposition of Robert Hook, same time and place, aged 90 years. (Note: this record confirms Robert Hooke's birthdate of 1712).

Information on Robert Hooke

From "Virginia Valley Records", by John Walter Wayland, pg. 199-200:

In Sept. 1804, in Rockingham Co. Va., a will was probated of one Robert Hooke, in which the following children were named, viz: 1. Elijah, 2. Mary Murray, 3. Martha, $100 to her, or her heirs; 4. William; 5. Esther Belshey; 6. Robert; 7. Jean Read; 8. George; 9. James. He bequeaths one-half of his remaining property to his son Elijah, and one-half to his daughter Mary Murray, for their life time, and at their deaths all of the said estate was to go to his grandson, James Murray. The records show that James Murray died intestate, and his half-sisters and brother, Elizabeth Shanklin, Dorcas Graham, and John Huston, sold the land containing 200 acres on Jan. 18 1816, to James W. Hooke and wife, Sarah (Pirkey) Hooke.

From "Papers read before the Lancaster County Historical Society, Volume 25", by Lancaster County Historical Society:

The records of Orange County, Virginia, show in 1740, Robert Hook, a native of the North of Ireland, was living in what is now Augusta County, Virginia. He landed at Philadelphia, and settled either in Lancaster or Chester County, Pennsylvania, before his removal to Virginia. He located in what is now Rockingham County, Virginia, about 2% miles to the south of Cross Keys. His descendants are still in that county and other portions of Virginia. In 1758 he was a Captain of Militia in the French and Indian War, and at that period also a member of the County Court of Augusta.

From Ancestry.com post:

Robert Hooke

kywildcat091954 (View posts) Posted: 16 Sep 1999 1:19AM GMT

Classification:
Surnames:
Robert Hooke, born in Ireland about 1712. Married a Jean Scott. He was Justice of the Peace in Augusta County, VA. He was Captain of the Militia in French Indian War rendered aid to the American Revolution by furnishing supplies, etc.
He died about 1804 (his will was dated Sept 1804) in Rockingham County, VA.
His children were:
1. William Hooke, born about 1738 in Ireland. Died about 1824. Married in 1772 to Sarah Campbell.
2. Esther Hooke, born Dec 23, 1740 Augusta County, VA. Married a Mr. Belshey.
3. Robert Hooke Jr., born Jan 6, 1743 Augusta Co, VA. Died about 1806. He was married twice. 1st wife was Mary.
4. Martha Hooke, born Aug 16, 1745 in Augusta Co, VA
5. George Hooke, born Feb 1, 1746 Augusta Co. VA; died 1823 VA; married Mary Ann Warner June 22, 1791 Augusta County, VA (my 4th great grandfather)
6. Jean Hooke (George's twin) born FEb 1, 1746 Augusta Co, VA; married Mr. Reed
7. Elijah Hook
8. Mary Hooke, married James Murray(murry)
9. James Hooke, born about 1747 Augusta Co, VA; died before March 16, 1784; married Mary
10. John Hook, died November 2, 1824 - never married but left property to his 8 maiden nieces

Robert Hooke proved his importation into the colony of VA at Orange Co Court on May 22, 1740.

From the south of Ireland ... Kilbarrymeaden, Waterford, Munster, Ireland ... to the north of Scotland ... Loth, Sutherland, Scotland. Yes, and the families from those two locations had intermarried for several centuries. They were fishermen, mariners, seafarers, wanderers, and a few farmers.

The Family Name ... Hook ... belongs to the Irish Clan = Marmion

Other Names belonging to the Marmion Clan - Barry, Fitzgerald, Roche, Savage, Power

We begin this narrative with Wilfred (Bunzie) Hook, born 1618 at or near Kilbarrymeaden, Waterford, Munster, Ireland. We know nothing much about him except for his unique nickname, and that he was the father of Richard Hook b. 1658 d. 1692 (died at sea).

The marriage yielded Robert Hook II b. 1712 at Kilbarrymeaden, Waterford, Munster, Ireland. Robert II d. Abt 1802 Rockingham Virginia (We have not proved an actual date for Robert's death and have reason to believe he actually died circa 1785). Robert Hook II married Jean Scott b. 1712 at Kilbarrymeaden, Waterford, Munster, Ireland d. Abt 1802 Augusta County Virginia. The marriage of Robert Hook II and Jean Scott took place 18 Aug 1736, at Kilbarrymeaden, Waterford, Munster, Ireland.

This marriage yielded William Hook, b. 1738 at Kilbarrymeaden, Waterford, Munster, Ireland, d. circa 1802 Rockingham Virginia. We have no knowledge of William serving in the Revolutionary war since most likely he would have been too old for service.

We have only been able to prove the above children for Robert II and Jean Hook.

PLEASE NOTE: The wife of Robert Hook II original name in Ireland was Jean, and properly noted in all immigration records we have located; however, in every legal document found here in the United States relating to her the name is always written as ... Jane. Frankly, we do not understand why the name Jean was so often rejected here in the US by so many people. Jean was a common name in both Ireland and Scotland during the era dealt with in this narrative.

Many people are claiming Robert Hook II had brothers and sisters come to America, but there is no documentation this is true. Further, there is no documentation proving any siblings of Robert Hook II in parish records in Ireland. Robert Hook II, wife Jean, and son William immigrated to Virginia arriving and applying for Headright Status in the County of Orange Virginia by May 1740, and documented as such in Orange County Historical Immigrant Records. Arriving at the same time as Robert and Jean were two of Jean's brothers ... Robert Scott, wife Ann, daughter Mary, son George, Ester Scott (Robert and Samuels mother), and Robert Frazor the father of Ann Scott, Robert's wife. Also Samuel Scott with wife Ann, sons James & John. Rounding out the group was Robert Young, Wife Margot, sons Abraham, Henry, Daniel, John, plus Robert McDowell, father of Margot, and Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith was a Ship's Captain, and certainly capable of handling any four or five mast class of ship; however, the ships most common for Captain Smith's expertise would have been 80 to 100 Ton two mast Brigand Class ships running a large bow-sail. These smaller ships could make the Atlantic Crossing in good weather in two to three weeks ... far superior to the often three or four months voyages so common. We have no proof, but it is thought Robert Frazor the father of Ann Scott later married Ester Scott.

Here it needs be stated the reason many of these people immigrated.

The weather in Ireland during the winter of 1739/40 was terribly worrisome … that winter was extremely harsh, and there was not enough fuel for the families to keep their homes warm ... crops failed, and food was also scarce. We also know many people left Ireland early in 1740 because of the terribly cold weather experienced during the winter of 1739/40; however, the winter of 1740/41 would prove to be even worse. We learned from parish records that Robert and wife Jean lost three of their four parents during the winter of 1740/41 ... they froze to death in their homes, and only Jean's mother managed to survive somehow.

Robert and Jean booked passage for her mother who Immigrated 1741. Mary Scott (nee Wilmore) d. 28 Dec 1766 in Augusta County, Virginia.

We do not claim to know much about the children of Robert II and wife Jean; however, there are serious errors in every genealogy line we have been privy to concerning George Hook, the son of Robert and Jean. He has been mistakenly identified as George Hook an English Deserter who switched sides during the battle for New York in the Revolutionary war, and who was recognized for that sometime late 1782 or early 1783. He has also been mistakenly identified as having married Jennie Bleakley 08 Jan 1789 in Augusta County Virginia - that was a different George Hook, and so far as we know, unrelated to the family of Robert Hook II, and Jean.

George Hook was the third son born to Robert and Jean, and from many records in our collective family archives we believe him to have been born 1749 in Orange County Virginia. He tried his wings early and moved to Chester County Pennsylvania when about 18. There he met and married Susan Williams, a recent immigrant from Sussex England in the early spring 1769 ... Marriage record proves the marriage took place at Nantmeal Village, Chester County, Pennsylvania. The exact date cannot be determined because of very poor condition of extant Church Records.

To the marriage of George and Susan twin boys were born ... they were born early summer of 1770 ... the boys were named ... George Jr. & James. Susan died shortly after childbirth leaving George in a terrible predicament, so he went home to Orange County ... Somehow the twins survived the trip, and we know nothing about how the trip was made.

George Hook Sr. served in the Revolutionary War from Virginia, in the Virginia Continental Line, and dully credited with his service according to still available records. NOTE: We do not know who filed a claim for benefits; however, the claim was rejected on grounds of insufficient evidence. We know of no application for Bounty Lands by either George Jr. or James.

George Hook Sr. died before 22 Oct 1783 at Augusta County Virginia - and the Probate Records are easily accessed to prove such. His brother William, and son William Hook Jr. were both buyers of part of the estate of George Hook, as were Martha Kennedy, Thomas Blackley, William Bean, Daniel Joseph, Daniel Heslip, John Jasper, and George Hook Jr., his son. His mother Jean (usually reads Jane in public records) was Administratrix of his estate.

We have no knowledge that George ever remarried, and know of no record that proves such remarriage; therefore, anyone so claiming George Hook Sr. the father of twin sons ... George Jr. & James, remarried, will need to produce documented evidence.

There are some serious transcription errors in the Chalkley Records, and many omissions ... we also realize many people have used such records in their attempts to document this family ... That record of serious concern being the one so many people have identified as being the estate of James Hook, where William Hook relinquished his right as Administrator, waiving it to George Hook. Chalkley transcript follows....

Name: William Hook
Date: Oct 22, 1783
Location: Augusta Co., VA
Notes: This probate record was originally published in "Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, 1745-1800. Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County" by Lyman Chalkley.
Remarks: William Hook relinquishes to Goerge Hook his right to administer on estate of James Hook.
Description: Administrator
Book date: WB6-397

The Administratrix of George Hook Sr.'s estate was in fact his mother Jean Hook, who was also the Administratrix for the estate of her own son Robert Hook III. Because family members wanted to buy items of George's estate, they could not be Administrators under the laws in effect at that time. The last buyer listed was in fact George Hook Jr., not someone named Roe............

There was a Triple Wedding January 25, 1798 in Augusta County Virginia – Three Sisters married brothers James Hook & George Hook Jr., and Thomas Bleakley. The Bondsman for all three was William Hook ... and all spouses filed accordingly so William could retrieve his bond money. These records are available in the Augusta County Archives. William Hook had probated the estate of a friend (Anthony Lewis) who had three underage daughters, Mary Polly, Rebecca, and Elizabeth. William, the son of Robert II then posted bond, proving guardianship for the three sisters.

Mary Ann Warner (Hook) later remarried John Bleakley 23 July 1806 at Rockingham - It is interesting to note on the Marriage Bond posted by Mary ... her previous bond posted when marrying George Hook Jr. is affixed to the bottom of the bond proving her marriage to John Bleakley. Don't ask since we do not know how George and Mary obtained a divorce during that era; however, because of the dual notation at the bottom of the bond there can be no doubt about her previous marriage to George Hook Jr. It should be noted that Mary Warner and John Bleakley never had any children, and neither did the marriage to George Hook Jr. result with offspring ... perhaps that would be reasonable grounds for obtaining a divorce during that Puritan era.

James moved to Kentucky for a brief periond, and later to Greene County Ohio - George moved to Blount County Tennessee where he died before March 28, 1815 when probate was filed.

We can only document one child by James Hook and Mary Polly Lewis ....
Charles Hook b. 27 Aug 1814 in Greene County Ohio.

Children of George Hook Jr. & Rebecca Lewis

1. Elizbeth (Betsy), born Abt 1805, m/1 ____BROCK, and m/2 on January 5, 1843 to George W. Spears in Blount County, Tennessee. She died July 2, 1871, and is buried in Byrds Chapel, Knox County, Tennessee. Source of this information Mr. Robert Wright of Tennessee, a direct descendant, and the 1850 Census.

Alfred is my direct family line, and validated son of George Hook Jr. via probate records Blount County, Tennessee. I grew up within a half-mile of the Enon Baptist Church & Cemetery on land obtained by Alfred and wife Elizabeth via BLM purchase ... record follows,